Comelec upholds Roxas election as LP head

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manuel Roxas II lauded yesterday the decision of the Commission on Elections denying the petition of Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to void his election as Liberal Party president in 2007.

“All stumbling blocks to the road to victory have been removed. It’s time to unite,” he said.

“It is now time for the LP to bring the fight to the final push and reform the system of corruption and patronage perpetuated by the Arroyo regime.”

LP secretary-general Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya hailed the Comelec decision as a signal for all LP members nationwide to prepare for next year’s elections.

“Destiny has put the LP at the forefront of struggles for reforms in the country. It is now time for us to unite to make sure we pursue this platform of reforming our country,” he said.

In a decision last June 18, the Comelec upheld the right of political parties to determine their membership and their leaders.

Atienza was former LP national chairman.

He was dropped from the party roster in March 2006 for leading the controversial rump assembly at the Manila Hotel.  

Atienza led the faction composed of pro-administration LP members, while Roxas and former Senate president Franklin Drilon continued to control the party.

Comelec chairman Jose Melo, along with Commissioners Armando Velasco, Lucenito Tagle, Leonardo Leonida, Nicodemo Ferrer and Rene Sarmiento, signed the decision. – Christina Mendez